Spitz: Moments of 'madness' with Charlie Moore

A warm, sunny day of fishing feels light-years away around here. For the "Mad Fisherman,'' in Florida shooting an upcoming episode of "Charlie Moore: No Offense'' this week, a quiet day on the water was a lot closer at hand.

By Julia Spitz/Daily News staff

Wicked Local

By Julia Spitz/Daily News staff

Posted Mar. 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 29, 2013 at 4:49 AM

By Julia Spitz/Daily News staff

Posted Mar. 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 29, 2013 at 4:49 AM

» Social News

A warm, sunny day of fishing feels light-years away around here.

For the "Mad Fisherman,'' in Florida shooting an upcoming episode of "Charlie Moore: No Offense'' this week, a quiet day on the water was a lot closer at hand.

Or it could have been, if Moore was looking for quiet.

But his show on the NBC Sports Network isn't about a quiet day of solitary fishing any more than the "Charlie Moore Outdoors'' show on NESN has been.

"It was never, ever a fishing show,'' Moore said in a phone interview. "We're a lifestyle show. ... I'm taking the biggest names and taking them out (fishing).''

Through the years, his guests have included Boston sports giants from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to former Sox captain Jason Varitek, comedians like Lenny Clark, rockers Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd, even "Batman'' Adam West.

This week in Florida, he was hobnobbing with Red Sox great and longtime Southborough resident Luis Tiant.

Moore's shows have taken him to sites around the globe.

"Some are remote, some are five-star,'' he said, but a 2011 trip through the jungle "deep in Panama, that was surreal.''

Still, the Lynnfield native who now lives in New Hampshire remembers the local landscape as well.

Asked where he might recommend spending a day out on a boat in this neck of the woods, he said, "Cochituate is always a favorite, particularly in the spring.''

Moore's ties to our region include being honored last summer by Framingham's 200 Foundation for his charitable work on behalf of many causes, including the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

Then there's the run-in involving a local cop.

"I got arrested for fishing.'' At least that's the way it looked in a scenario set up with help from super bass fisherman and former Framingham Police Sgt. Dennis Reardon. The year was 1998, Moore said, and "it was just doing stuff people weren't doing,'' at least not on shows with outdoor sports themes. The televised prank was a bit like a "Saturday Night Live'' skit that helped pave the way for adding layers of comic adventure to the show, he said. "We branched out.''

Moore's career got started when he was working for a landscaper and ended up at a job at TV and radio personality Billy Costa's home. At the time, Moore was in his mid-20s, married, with two kids and another on the way. Not exactly the type you'd peg as destined for stardom. But his pitch to Costa about a comic fishing show led to a few minutes on NESN's "Front Row,'' which grew into "Outdoors'' a few years later.

"I never forget where I came from,'' said the 42-year-old. "I always stay hungry. ... It makes you appreciate it a little more.''

Page 2 of 2 -
He doesn't think his story of making a dream come true is unique, however.

He's "definitely coming out with a new book this year. It'll be a continuation of where the last one left off.'' The followup to "The Mad Fisherman: Kick Some Bass with America's Wildest TV Host'' will also include lots of recipes, he said. "I'm in love with cooking.'' In fact, when talking about favorite places to fish, the reasons Lake Winnipesaukee earns highest marks include "they've got so many good little restaurants'' in the area. Lake Champlain is another top choice for freshwater fishing.

As for favorite guests, each is "a unique time. Each week is unique. I've enjoyed all the guests.''

"I would really like to come into your hometown and have you show me what makes it a great destination to visit,'' Moore posts on the "No Offense'' page at charliemoore.com. Viewers are invited to email pitches to "show me the best way to fish in your area, the best places to eat and anything else that makes the lifestyle in your hometown special.''

Madness returns to Cochituate, perhaps?

Julia Spitz can be reached at 508-626-3968 or jspitz@wickedlocal.com. You can also read the Spitz Bits blog at www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/spitzbits and follow tweets at twitter.com/SpitzJ_MW.